EuropeanGringo

🇬🇧 Rainy day vibes ☁️🌊
20°C and empty beaches in São Vicente & Santos. Found Iemanjá, then Exu, and ended the walk at Emissário Submarino — quiet, raw, and real.

🇧🇷 Vibes de dia chuvoso ☁️🌊
20°C e praias vazias em São Vicente e Santos. Encontrei Iemanjá, depois Exu, e terminei o passeio no Emissário Submarino — silencioso, intenso e real.

🌊 Just 300m from the shore of Santos, Ilha de Urubuqueçaba connects to the beach at low tide through a natural sandbar. Surrounded by rocks and covered with fig, Surinam cherry, and jerivá trees, the island is home to crabs, shellfish, vultures, cormorants, and seagulls. 🦀🪶

Although not open to regular tourism, it’s studied and protected by biologists and firefighters to preserve its unique ecosystem. A rare sight that shows how close untouched nature can be to the city. 🌿✨

Animals at Praia do Itararé 🐚🌊

From delicate sand dollars (📸 1–5) to a curious little hermit crab (📸 6), nature’s tiny wonders are all around.
Spotted a stunning striped sun star (📸 7) shining beneath the waves.
Elegant snowy egrets (📸 8–11) danced along the shore, while the mysterious Callichirus major (Corrupto) (📸 12) made its appearance.
And the bold southern lapwing (📸 13–14) stood proud, guarding its beach territory.

Life at the edge of land and sea never ceases to amaze. 🌴🦀🪸

Exploring the hidden corners of Arraial do Cabo 🌊🛥️

During the boat tour, we stopped at two famous natural spots:

📍 Fenda de Nossa Senhora (Our Lady’s Crevice)
A narrow cliff opening with a small statue of Nossa Senhora placed by local fishermen. It’s a traditional stop where people often make a wish or say a quick prayer. Boats get close, but you can’t enter. Just enough for photos and that “wow” moment.

📍 Gruta Azul (Blue Grotto)
Known for its glowing blue water, but here’s the catch: it’s now illegal to enter the cave by boat due to environmental protection laws. Tours only stop nearby for photos. It’s still beautiful, but you can no longer go inside. Respecting nature comes first.

🛥️ On the way back to the port, there’s usually a quick diving/snorkelling stop near Praia do Pontal do Atalaia. Just a refreshing dip in those crystal-clear waters.

No beach landings here, just sightseeing and a splash. These spots bring variety to the trip.

📍 Arraial do Cabo, RJ – Brazil 🇧🇷